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Thursday, February 17, 2011

Mandarin classes for non-Chinese

BASIC Mandarin classes are among measures planned by the Penang Government and Penang Chinese Town Hall (PCTH) to promote racial integration and cross-cultural understanding within the community.

Deputy Chief Minister I Mansor Othman said the classes would be promoted to non-Chinese who had no basic knowledge of the language.

“PCTH currently runs Mandarin classes once a week for English-educated Chinese who have basic understanding in the language.

“We are hoping to expand these classes to three times a week and promote it to others, especially Malays and Indians, who have no knowledge of Mandarin,” Mansor said this after a meeting with PCTH in his office in Komtar.

He said the state would work together with PCTH to set up the classes, which would start next month. Students will have to pay a nominal fee.

PCTH chairman Datuk Lam Wu Chong, who led the town hall delegation, said closer cooperation with the state would help prevent an overlap in festive activities.

“We are looking forward to working with the state in promoting culture, education and social welfare,” Lam said, adding that the town hall welcomed all help from Federal, state and commercial bodies to help run its many activities.